Researchers in Japan have found that flies fed excessive amounts of caffeine generally die within seven days, a discovery that could lead to the development of insecticides that are less harmful to humans.
While previous research showed stimulants in high concentrations can suppress growth in insects, it was unclear if caffeine would be effective, according to the research team at Okayama University.
Photo courtesy of Okayama University (Kyodo)
The team fed common green bottle flies that are found in tropical and temperate regions, including Japan, sugar water with one of five different caffeine concentrations ranging from 0.01 percent to 2 percent.
The flies fed caffeine concentrations in excess of 0.5 percent began dying in large numbers on the fourth day, with almost all of them dead within seven days. Lower concentrations of caffeine did not lead to earlier deaths.
Photo courtesy of Okayama University (Kyodo)
The study also found that fat levels and activity in the flies fell as dosages of caffeine were increased.
The team hopes to conduct further studies with other insects using caffeine.
"It's a substance that exists in nature, so it is believed to have less of an impact on the human body than chemical pesticides," said Takahisa Miyatake, a professor of entomology at the university.
The findings have been published in the academic journal Applied Entomology and Zoology.